Realization sets in, his body tensing. “You were never a burden, Viola.” I hear the sincerity of his words, but I shake my head. I don’t want to hear it.
“It’s one thing to hear those things from your big brother but hearing them come out of your mouth; I was destroyed.”
“You have to know, I didn’t mean what I said, Viola. I would never think those things.”
“You know, it’s funny, because even while I was listening, I kept holding out hope that maybe just maybe you were pulling some stupid birthday prank on me.”
His shoulders relax as he lowers and shakes his head in disbelief. “That’s why you cut me out of your life? You overheard Drew and me.”
“What was I supposed to do? I was practically in love with you, and you’d just confessed your true feelings for me. I felt like an idiot.”
“W
